Ola, lovely people,
First of all, thank you for liking this short story and the overwhelming response and comments.
Next update below. Do let me know if you like it, leave comments and silent readers hit the like button if you like it. Thanks in advance.
Infallible Attraction
Part 3
Life is ...who cares? And time, is here and now, so let's enjoy!': Rudra Singh Oberoi
Rudra Singh Obeori had grown up under the protective care of his mother and elder brother. He was used to being the baby of the house, who never had to worry about anything. His father passed away when he was very young, so he was attached to two people, and two people only. He was a gregarious personality, joyful, happy and free, and so he attracted a lot of attention, especially from girls. Him being a catch, with regards to his handsome features and a more handsome bank account and lineage could have a lot to do with it as well. Long story short, Rudra was popular with many friends. But Rudy knew, it was all fake, with no depth and no life. It will fade away with the first ray of sunshine.
But G was different. She didn't care about how rich, or how good-looking he was. She didn't honour or respect him, because he was of the Oberoi lineage and had crores in his bank. She had gradually started respecting him as a friend after knowing him a bit. She didn't even come after him, even though he was giving her attention, something he never had to do for any girl. If she didn't care about the riches he had, she also didn't care about his flaws. She never judged him, like others who would instantly make assumptions about him, in the first meet, like how he was going to be and why.
Not G. At first, she completely ignored him. Then, she only made friends with him upon his persuasion and insistence. Somehow, he was drawn towards her, her demeanour, her innocence, her eyes, all talked to him. Behind her smile and strong outer presence, Rudra could feel, lived a lonely person. He was her friend. And once they were friends, she never ever questioned his motives. That was it. No more, no less. G was a mystery. Rudra could never understand why she was so different from all women/ girl she had met in his life. She was the prettiest, no doubt about that, but she was also the most intelligent and sensitive of them all. In fact, she reminded him, a bit, of his mother!
To say that Rudra was taken by G would be an understatement. She was his friend and he had come to care about her, a lot. It was a new feeling for him. A very strange, but good feeling. Where he felt like doing something for somebody. For the first time in his life, he felt like somebody, he wanted to be of use. He wanted to be responsible; he wanted to deserve this friendship. She was only the third person in his life who he had come to care about and although he had taken the other two people for granted always, he wouldn't do that with G.
So this morning when he saw a sullen and sad G, he felt restless. He wanted to know what was troubling her and he didn't have to look far. In the frame, sitting opposite her, was his brother, only the second person on this earth who he loved and respected the most, after his mother , Omkara Singh Oberoi!
"Hmm, interesting "thought Rudra. " What has bhai done this time to trouble G?
A very perceptive person, Rudra had noticed some tension between the two from day one. But how could it come to be? Weren't they just introduced to each other that day on the breakfast table? After then, bhai saved G from an accident. After that, he thought the two would have become friends, but no.
It seemed like they were avoiding each other. If bhai was in the vicinity, G moved as far away as possible from there even if she really needed to be there. And bhai had adopted an unprecedented schedule. He never took breakfast with them these days and avoided any social or gathering, where G accompanied Maasa.
But this morning, somehow, bhai did join them for breakfast, only to be accompanied with the witch! That morning Ishana was visiting them, apparently on Omkara's invitation!
"When did this happen? thought Rudra.Bhai hates Ishana! If not hate, he totally dislikes her. He had seen the way sometimes Omkara looked at her, speculative and disinterested. But Ishana was pursuing Omkara with all her might. She behaved like she owned him and sometimes even ordered Rudy around, which he hated of course! He knew that Jhanvi also did not like Ishana, she was courteous towards her whenever she visited, but no more. Ishana was the daughter of Jhanvi's friend, so she had to tolerate her every now and then. But she was happy to know that neither Omkara , nor Rudy had any interest in her, because she was just not good enough, for her boys. This morning, even Jhanvi was surprised when Ishana walked to the breakfast table with Omkara.
Rudy had noticed instant change in G's demeanor the moment she saw Omkara, she looked happy, but intimidated. But then the expression changed to surprise and grief when she noticed Ishana following right behind him. G was cordial to all, but left very soon from there complaining of a headache. But her sadness had not gone unnoticed by her new found friend and her almost mother-like figure. And, it had also not escaped the eyes of the one person whose every action affected her no end; she had no control over her feelings when it came to him.
Rudy was worried, it wasn't very easy to disturb G, she was a very strong person. Then what was it this time? He was determined to find out. After all that's what friends are for, his first true friendship!
Omkara was in his room, trying to put a few more colours to those eyes on his canvas. Her eyes! But no matter how hard he tried, he was just not able to capture the beauty of those eyes that stared back at him, that fateful night. That image never left him. No matter how hard he tried, the memory of that night, the light, the kiss, her beauty, it just wouldn't go away. What was happening to him? He felt trapped! He wanted to be free, like before, but this infallible attraction he felt towards this person was like a shackle on his feet. And so today, he did the impossible. He tried to cure this ailment. He knew he had stooped way below his standards and contrary to his character, when he invited Ishana over for breakfast. He knew she would be all too willing to come and maybe that would help?
But it didn't help. In fact, it made it worse. Now, he was even feeling guilty about this deed. Gauri's eyes, the sadness, when she walked away from the breakfast table were troubling him. He was angry, with himself, for putting her through this. What was this between them? Why couldn't he see her like this? Why did her sadness affect him so much...
"Bhai, can I come in? Rudy was at the door.
Omkara put the trace cover over his painting, "Of course Rudy, when did you have to ask?
"Bhai I thought I'd ask you straight off as G is not telling me anything. She is sad and I have a feeling it is because of you. What is the problem between you two? Rudy was blunt as he knew he could be, with his bhai.
Omkara was shocked. He had no idea Rudy noticed, and he had no clue how to answer this. Coz he didn't know himself. He just kept mum.
"Bhai, can I see what you are painting? Rudy walked to the arched boudoir studio where the easel stood.
Rudy s next question was again not helping, Omkara was restless.
"No Rudy, it is incomplete. I will show you when it is done Omkara shoved Rudy outside. "Rudy, I don't know anything about G or Gauri or whatever her name is, now please leave me to my work. Don't you have any party or something to go to? Omkara acted angry.
But to Omkara's chagrin, Rudy knew him only too well, just like he knew Rudy. Nothing was hidden between these two brothers and nothing had to be said to be understood.
"Ok bhai, we will see, you will tell me soon enough with this Rudy left.
Omkara was still reminiscing the day's events, smoking incessantly; standing in his balcony, overlooking the fountain courtyard when he noticed them.
Rudra and Gauri were in the garden, returning together from somewhere. Rudy was holding a basket which looked like it had picnic food in it and Gauri had a huge camera bag with her. She was smiling at some joke Rudy had cracked.
Seeing this completely innocent scene, Omkara was still affected. She doesn't smile like this at me? How dare she? This morning she was all sad and complaining of a headache and now she is just back from a picnic?
%^&87*^%$$!$^&*())))*$!!$%%^^
All sorts of angry thoughts were crossing Omkara's mind, in his state of extreme ...ummm...what is the word? ENVY / JEALOUSY? From his own little brother?
His chain of thought was broken by noises. It was Gauri, she was hitting Rudy who was running around the fountain.
"Rudy, you are impossible. I asked you to show me around Deogarh so I can describe those sites that M'am went to, in her biography properly. But you even took a picnic with us. You are just relentless
In fact, she was grateful to Rudy. She was feeling a bit better now. A day out in the landscape had calmed her spirits. They visited many places in Deogarh , and at last Rudy had taken her to the hills that bordered the city on the east. They had climbed to the top from where they could see the entire city and the desert that lay beyond. They had watched the sun go down from the top; it was just spell-binding. Gauri had got some amazing shots of the city and sunset in her camera. She would pick a few good ones and send them to the magazine for printing, she thought. In all, she had tried very hard to forget about this morning's image Ishana with Omkara. And she was happy with the result, at least to a certain extent.
But Omkara was furious now. He had to put this right. If he was suffering, she had no right to be ok. She should be suffering too, and he will make sure she does too.
He picked up the intercom and spoke Maasa, I am ready to give Miss Sharma the interview you insisted on, for the biography, the other day. and kept the phone down before Jhanvi could react.
END
So, what do you think? Please note, I will only update if I think there are enough people interested in reading, else its hard to find time and motivation.
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